US condemns Russia’s planned parliamentary elections in Crimea

Two-and-a-half years after Moscow annexed the strategic peninsula from Ukraine, residents are gearing up to vote Sunday in their first polls to elect deputies to Russia’s national parliament.

“Our position on Crimea is clear: the peninsula remains an integral part of Ukraine,” Kirby said. “Crimea-related sanctions against Russia will remain until Russia returns control of Crimea to Ukraine.”

The US State Department also expressed concern “about the humanitarian situation in Crimea, including the status of the ethnic Tatar community and widespread reports of missing persons and human rights abuses.”